Enhancing Fertility through Nutrigenomics with Jaclyn Downs

This is a great and very common question! I actually made a mini-course that details, you can find it here.

I'll first define epigenetics, which is the study of how lifestyle, environmental exposures, and mental/emotional/physical well-being can influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself.

Nutrigenomics, to put it simply, is the interplay between how our genes can affect our health, and how nutrients (and lack thereof) and toxins can affect the expression of our genes. 

Both epigenetics and nutrigenomics can, and do, affect our fertility, which I wrote an entire book about! They greatly affect fertility because roughly 85% of what determines whether a gene will express is the level of nutrition and stressors someone has; just because you have a genetic variant does not mean it is expressing! So, if someone has a genetic variant, certain nutrient deficiencies or excesses, along with stressors of any sort, can cause it to be expressed. There are a multitude of genes that dictate how nutrients are made, transported, used, and cleared by the body, any of which can be affected. Just because you're eating the nutrients (or supplementing with them), doesn't mean they're being used by the body.

While nutrient deficiencies are common causes of fertility challenges, even more common are toxins. We are exposed to an exponential amount more toxins than our ancestors were! Toxic exposures act like wrenches in your metabolic pathways because they affect how your genes are expressed, which can affect their function. There are a vast array of genes that affect how well or poorly toxic stressors and substances are cleared from the body. These can bioaccumulate and also are passed in utero and through breastmilk.

When any or all of these factors are present, the cells in the body decide that now is not a good or safe time to create a baby, so it halts reproductive ability until the issue is resolved.

The gene that people usually hear about first, and oftentimes it's the only gene they focus on, is the MTHFR gene. The MTHFR gene makes the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme. This is the enzyme that adds the methyl group to folate. Note: It is NOT the gene that converts folic acid into methylfolate, which is what a ton of bloggers and social media influencers say it does. That is incorrect. The DHFR gene is what converts folic acid into folate, and then MTHFR adds the methyl group to make it methylfolate. So if a genetic test doesn't include DHFR, don't buy it if you want to know how well your folic acid can convert to folate! That being said, methylation is essential for health and fertility for so many reasons. First, methylation is a phase 2 liver detoxification pathway. Many substances are regulated and cleared through this pathway, including hormones and various toxins. Methylation helps to regulate gene expression. It is essential for DNA repair. Efficient DNA repair processes are crucial for protecting cells from the accumulation of genetic damage, which affects all the cells in the body, but the eggs and sperm are usually the first to take the hit since reproduction isn't necessary for staying alive. Methylation ensures the balanced production and metabolism of hormones, supporting reproductive health. Additionally, methylation is important for the development of sperm and eggs and the early stages of embryonic development. Abnormal methylation patterns can lead to infertility, miscarriages, or developmental issues in offspring.

Another gene that is critical for fertility and growing a fetus is the PEMT gene, which contributes to the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, an important source of choline in the body. Choline is a 'conditionally essential nutrient' which means that our bodies can make it to some degree, but the rest needs to be acquired through diet and supplementation. The PEMT gene is what determines how much choline you may need to get! Choline is necessary for fertility because it helps keep your cell membranes healthy (ensuring proper egg and sperm function). Choline supports the methylation pathway and also is a primary ingredient in bile, which ultimately helps us make hormones and move toxins from the liver to the gut to be excreted. Plus, getting enough choline can help prevent certain birth defects early in pregnancy. So, ensuring you have enough choline in your diet can boost your chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby. Also, after conception, it is crucial for the first trimester when the baby's brain and nervous system are developing. 

I approach addressing these by evaluating symptoms, genetic predispositions, and related functional lab work. Crossreferencing these together gives an idea of whether a gene is expressing, and if so, to what degree. It also allows me to know what recommendations to make to target and support the body to come back into balance. Since no gene works in isolation, I also analyze genes that are upstream and downstream of each other within each pathway. This is why most of the genetic testing companies out there are lacking: You can't tell much at all from only a handful of genes because you are not seeing what's happening upstream and downstream of them. Sometimes the functioning of one gene can balance out the way another gene related to it is functioning. Conversely, some genetic variants will compound an imbalance caused by another genetic variant. You need a comprehensive test that analyzes at least a few thousand genes!

Although the way these two affect fertility is inseparable, you can and should start with environmental factors since they affect the expression of your genes! Environmental factors are the foundations for health since that is what we are exposing our bodies, cells, and genes to all day every day. If you want to get targeted and know which antioxidants would be the most effective, and how well your detox pathways are programmed to work, this is where knowing your genetic blueprint can be very revealing. But knowing your genetic blueprint and working off that framework won't help your situation much if you're slathering toxic body care products on your skin and eating mostly packaged and processed food. I always work to address dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors as the foundation for supporting your health and genetic expression. 

• Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for hormonal balance and overall well-being. Practice good sleep hygiene and aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support your body's natural rhythms and optimize fertility.
• Blood sugar: Keeping blood sugar levels stable is essential for reproductive health. If you're getting a mid-afternoon slump, have wonky periods, or get hangry, you might have some blood sugar dysregulation going on! When eating carbohydrates, pair them with healthy fats and proteins to prevent spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. There are natural supplements and herbs that have been shown to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. I recommend them to my clients rather frequently if their fasting glucose and/or fasting insulin levels are elevated, or if they're having classic symptoms of riding the blood sugar rollercoaster.
• Avoid toxins: Minimize exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins found in everyday products like cleaning supplies, personal care items, and plastics. Opt for natural alternatives and organic options whenever possible to reduce the burden on your body's detoxification systems. Check out the blog I wrote about feminine care products and the toxins they can contain, as the vaginal tissue is very vulnerable to toxins. 
• Nutrient-dense diet: Fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods to support reproductive health and fertility. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your diet to ensure you're getting essential vitamins and minerals.
• Move your body in a loving way: Engage in gentle exercises that nourish your body and mind, such as yoga, walking, or swimming. Find activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good, rather than focusing solely on intense workouts.
• Do things daily that bring you some sense of joy, no matter how small: Prioritize activities that bring you happiness and reduce stress daily. Whether it's spending time with loved ones, practicing mindfulness, or pursuing hobbies, carving out moments of joy can positively impact your overall health and fertility journey.